Panthers Safety Eric Reid Wears Cleats Featuring Colin Kaepernick

Panthers safety Eric Reid, who’s been one of the most outspoken players in the NFL during the wake of the national anthem controversy.

A former 49er, Reid was teammates with then quarterback Colin Kaepernick when he began to take a knee during the playing of national anthems. Reid soon followed, and when he became a free agent at the end of the 2017 season, no team signed him.

The Panthers elected to sign Reid after the season began this year, and Reid again started taking a knee during anthems. On Monday night against the Saints, he wore special-edition cleats that featured Kaepernick. He described it as “a tribute to the history of protest.”

My cleats for tonight. Much thanks and appreciation to the artist @2cent_bmike. Here’s his take on the inspiration behind his design, “It’s a tribute to the history of protest , centered around the quote “if not us , who? If not now, when? “ meaning we all benefit and stand on… pic.twitter.com/x9PNkmwTK0

— Eric Reid (@E_Reid35) December 17, 2018

As you can see above, there is an image of protestors with signs reading “I know my rights” and, as Reid notes, the concept of “If not us, who? If not now, when?” is also featured. Kaepernick’s likeness can be seen on the side of the cleat.